What Happens When… January 13, 2009

When starships collide,

In polite suicide,

And their parts do decide

To begin falling to sea

When oceans grow dim

In the moonlight we swim

When among all the din

The parts do arrive

As the explosions burst out

With their most violent clout

The ship now more stout

Floats under the sea

Then it floats to the bottom

The Coast Guard has got’em

Suddenly silence is then a hum

No passengers were left alive

Democracy Demands Dissent August 20, 2008

“Patriotism in the sense of democracy allows for dissent from popular view – including questioning the morality of war.” – Robert E. Hagan

 

This quote by is as poignant and significant to the political climate today as it was during the Vietnam Era. Unfortunately, the United States has failed to learn both from Mr. Hagan’s wisdom and from the lessons taught during the 1960’s. Enmeshed in a war against terrorism and terrorists with no single nation of origin, no delineated leadership structure and no understood or know presence with whom to negotiate, the United States should be familiar with this situation. The state of international affairs in the United States parallels its situation in the 1960’s. The significant difference is that after September 11, 2001, Americans have reverted to an idealized and false traditional memory of government and national leadership as omnipotent and infallible. In the 1960’s, protests, civil unrest, and change were encouraged if not forced by many citizens. This vocal group fought for their beliefs and their desire to remove troops from Vietnam. Today in a post 9-11 society, government is not questioned, allowing legislation such as the Patriot Act to pass. The desire to seem or appear patriotic is more valuable to Americans today than preserving their civil liberties or fighting for what is “right”. Leaders are thought to be tough, benevolent, and fair yet when public administrators and elected officials fail to answer to the public’s demands there is no public action to check this behavior. There is no social action taken by the people that rivals the 1960’s, though circumstances are strikingly similar, the fight is not there. Though it seems that Americans question the morality of the war as Hagen recommends, their willingness to fight for what they believe in is lacking.

            To be truly patriotic, one must acknowledge the necessity of dissent. Should leadership fail to obey or implement the desires of the people, it is our right and responsibility as citizens to act and speak out against that which we do not agree with or believe in government. Utilizing personal moral and ethical standards, public administrators are not only responsible to themselves but also to those they serve. Fredrick Mosher, an acclaimed public administration scholar, referred to public administration as, “thrice removed from direct democracy.” Being distantly accountable to the public, individuals that chose careers in public service must be able to hold themselves accountable for upholding the public good. It is necessary to recognize that with this sense of duty comes a responsibility to question government and strive in all cases to do what is “right” and just. As voters it is our duty to hold government accountable for its actions. Not only elected officials, but all government employees are stewards of public trust. Therefore, it becomes the duty of all public officials to not only give their best work to their job but also to reflect and act with good conscience when performing their duties.

            Today it is popular to support troops. War and its uncertain objectives are not supported by the American public, yet there is no strong retaliation against government demanding a resolution. Patriotism has become silent acquiescence, which is society’s first and greatest battle, the fight against indifference.  To stand up for what we believe in, even when it is not “politically correct” or popular, is the greatest right and privilege American’s should hold dear. This fight is the manifestation of democracy in its truest form, as the forefathers envisioned it, and exactly what Hagan refers to in his statement.